Four thoughts after the midweek win over Shrewsbury – offers something different…
Rob Fielding reflects on a highly promising Tuesday night display for the Valiants as they swept Shrewsbury aside 4-0 in the Football League Trophy…
Rob Fielding writes…
Firstly, let’s be clear. This competition doesn’t really mean anything until the closing stages and the introduction of U21 sides has massively devalued it. However, as an exercise in giving players minutes and exploring squad options, Tuesday night’s game can’t be seen as anything other than a massive triumph. Here are some of my observations…
Forrester more comfortable in central role
If this squad has been engineered to have competition in all positions (Hall and Jones on the left; Worrall and Massey on the right flank and so on…) perhaps we should consider Will Forrester as the competition for Nathan Smith’s role in the centre of a back three. On Tuesday, facing an experienced striker in Ryan Bowman, Forrester looked composed and in control. It’s also a position which suits his strengths.
Forrester’s strengths are defensive rather than passing or surging runs and in that regard being the central defender suits him better than a role on the right of the back three. That right-handed role looks better suited to Lewis Cass or Sammy Robinson, both of whom are willing to bomb forward to support the right wingback. Forrester clearly won’t let anyone down on the right of a back three but for me, his long-term role is in the centre.
Versatile Robinson pushing his claims
I really like Sam Robinson. I think it’s partially because he was an unknown youngster when Vale signed him and I always like to see a “chancer” developed into a regular and valuable first-team player. However, it’s also his energy and commitment which impresses me.
Robinson started on the right side of the back three on Tuesday and showed he is suited to the role with some energetic runs to support David Worrall. He looked a decent alternative to Lewis Cass in that role. However, Robinson’s value to the squad is he can also be used in other positions – during the game on Tuesday he had spells both on the right and left flanks and didn’t disappoint in either role. He looks a more than useful option to have off the bench. Finally, it can only spur the other Vale defenders in the squad on to have Robinson pushing them so hard for a starting place.
Politic offers something different
This was a rare start for Dennis Politic but the returning forward once again gave a convincing display of what he can offer to the side – and that is skills that no-one else in this squad possesses. His close control is arguably better than League One standard while his goalscoring ability is not in doubt.
He now has eight goals in nineteen appearances for the club but that only tells half the story, In terms of goals per minutes his record stands at a hugely impressive. He’s averaging a goal every 32 minutes this season and a goal every 117 minutes during his two Vale spells.
Those stats show his ability to change games but I suspect that Darrell Clarke and his coaching staff will not risk the temptation to overplay him and ease him gently into games probably as an impact sub. He offers something different and that needs to be protected if it is be used through the season. However, with those impressive stats, his overall time on the pitch may not matter too much in order for him to make a goalscoring impact.
Spoilt for choice in attacking midfield but teenager McDermott looks to be the future
From being bereft of service to the front men in the opening couple of games, Vale now look to be spoilt for choice. Dan Butterworth impressed on Saturday with his link play (he’s out of contract in the summer and out of favour at Blackburn by the way!) while the class of Tom Conlon is already known. Vale also have the x-factor of Dennis Politic to bring on but perhaps the most exciting option is homegrown youngster Tommy McDermott.
I was really impressed with him again on Tuesday evening as he buzzed around the pitch impressing with his passing and clever runs. It’s sometimes easy to forget he’s only seventeen years old! The present creative midfield options may be Butterworth, Conlon or Politic but in the future it may well be McDermott who nails that place in the side.
More from the 2022-23 season
AGREE WITH THESE VIEWS? – CLICK HERE TO POST A COMMENT